California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today announced nine Southern California residents have been charged in a cell phone fraud case, stemming from a 2008 investigation by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Fraud Division. According to Commissioner Jones, losses from the scheme are estimated at more than $400,000.

Five of the nine defendants were arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court on April 28. They are Akop Markaryan, 26, Armenak Krdanyan, 25, and Ojak Hutagaol, all of Van Nuys; Sevak Ovsepyan, 24, Glendale; and Shant Artoonian, 25, Granada Hills. They face charges that include insurance fraud, grand theft, theft of identifying information, illegal computer access, theft of information and commercial burglary.

In June 2008, CDI's Fraud Division received information that contract couriers for the delivery company DHL were stealing cell phone packages delivered by Asurion Insurance Services to its customers. Asurion is a national company that insures wireless customers against breakage, loss or theft. The company also delivers replacement phones to its customers.

The Fraud Division's investigation found that Markaryan, who owned a cell phone store in Van Nuys, Krdanyan and Ovspyan were making false claims to Asurion using Verizon customers' account information that was allegedly stolen by Artoonian from the carrier's proprietary databases. DHL contract courier Hutagaol allegedly provided the suspects with random addresses within their delivery routes, stole the delivered cell phone packages and then sold them for a fee.

The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Major Fraud Division.

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The California Department of Insurance, established in 1868, is the largest consumer protection agency in California. Insurers collect $257 billion in premiums annually in California. In 2014 the California Department of Insurance received more than 175,000 calls from consumers and helped recover over $54 million in claims and premiums. Please visit the Department of Insurance web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.HELP or 213.897.8921. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.